Method of coloring moving-picture films.



C. W. MABLE,

METHOD OF COLORING MOVING PICTURE FILMS.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 28. I9l6.

Patented June 19, 1917.

DDDDD DDDGDDD D D mammmma muuumam a DDDDDD CLARENCE W. MABLE. OF BINGHAMTON. NEW YORK.

METEOD OF COLORING MOVING-PICTURE FILMS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 19. 1917.

Application filed April 28, 1916. Serial No. 94.228.

T0 aZZ -w7zom '25 may concern:

Be it known that I, CLABENCE W. \ABLE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Binghamton, in the count-5 of Broomeand State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Method for Coloring Moving-Picture Films, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

Among the principal objects which the present invention has in view are: To provide moving-picture films wit-h unit'orm color tints evenly applied; to blend the tones of the material employed in coloring the films; and to reduce the time and labor required for coloring said films.

Drawings.

Figure 1 is a representation of a photographic film employed in mo\ 'ing-picture projecting machines, showing a view photographically printed thereon in the usual manner;

Fig. 2 is a view of a fragment of colortransfer ribbon employed in tinting the film;

Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2. showing the same as having been tinted in accordance with the present method. employing therein the ribbon shown in Fig. 2;

F ig. at a cross section on an enlarged scale, of the ribbon shown in Fig. 2, the section being taken as on the line l in Fig. 5 is a side elevation of a tinting machine employed in carrying into efiect the present method.

Description.

When tinting photographic films 10 of the character mentioned, in accordance with the present invention. the film such as shown in F ig. 1, is overlaid by a clear transfer ribbon 11. The ribbon 11 is preferably formed of similar material to that employed in producing. the film 10, and usually is a spoiled or imperfect film which has been cleared of its photographic prints if such have been imparted thereto.

If several colors are to be used in coloring the films, the ribbon 11 is usually marked or blocked off as a master plate for the blocking of other ribbons to be used in series. As shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings, the ribbon 11 has been blocked for printing or tinting the spaces indicated on the film 10. b v the numerals l2. 13. lt and 15.

The blocking above referred to is formed on each of the ribbons ll employed in pro ducing the pol v-colored films. which result from the employment of the present method. This blocking consists in painting or coating the ribbon 11 with an v suitable chemical. such as bichromate of potassium, except where the tinted spaces are to remain. Referring to Fig. 2 of the drawings. the ribbon ll is therein shown as having been coated with bichromate of potassium, except where the spaces indicated by the numerals 1:2 to 15. inclusive. are shown.

After being thus treated, the ribbon 11 is permitted to dry. It is then immersed in water for an ascertained period of time sufiicient to permit the water to affect the parts of the ribbon unprotected by the bichromate of potassium, to swell the gelatin with which the ribbon is pret'erably coated. t will be obvious from what hereinafter follows. that although the swelling of the portions. such as indicated by the numerals 1:2 to 15. inclusive is preferred. this is not essential to the carrying into efiect ot' the present method of tinting.

After the exposed sections have been sufiiciently acted upon b v the water to raise the surface of the indicated sections above the ordinary surface of the ribbon. the latter is prepared for use as a tint-tr:mst'er ring medium.

It will be understood that if a series of colors are to be used. each color will be provided with a separate ribbon ll. the blockings or exposed and swelled sections thereot' having been located in accordance with a master ribbon indicatingthe arcas tor the special color to be transt'erred by the particular ribbon. lt is obvious that as in the usual methods of photolithography. the tints 11121) be \aried by overla ting or superimposing a color or colors, the colors employed being preferabl v transparcnt colors. In tinting films of the character herein men tioned. the usual anilin colors are employed.

Having prepared the series of transfer ribbons necessary to tint the film 10, the ribbons are placed on a reel 16. supported in the arms 17 of a printing machine, such as shown in Fig. 5. The ribbon 11 is passed under an immersing roll 18, where it is sul pressure rolls 22 and 23, the latter of which has a series of pins 24 for engag1ng the perforations 25 of both the film 10 and ribbon 11. The film 10 is held on a reel 26 in the printing machine to be drawn therefrom by the roll 23, to pass between the rolls 22 and 23 into contact with the ribbon 11 and with the swelled and tint-transfer areas 12 and 15,'inclusive.

hen the ribbon 11 passes over the roller 20, all surplus color is removed therefrom, so that the ribbon 11 after passing the said roller, carries the color from the fountain 19, on the sections 12 to 15, inclusive, only. Thenefo1e, when the ribbon 11 and film 10 are pressed together on passing the rolls 22 and 23, the color carried by the said areas 12 to 15, inclusive, on the ribbon 11, is transferred to, the film 10 and to the areas indicated by the numerals 12 to 15, inclusive, in Fig. 1 of the drawings.

When the tint thus imparted to the film is d1ied, the film is again treated in the same manner by other ribbons 11 having other tint-carrying transfer areas.

It will be understood that having started the film 10 correctly registered with the ribbon 11, the pins 24: insure thereafter the accurate register of said film and ribbon throughout the printing or transfer of each b single tint.

It is obvious that when following the herein described method minor or smaller details of shades or modeling are provided by the photographic print or the relatively black tone of the photographic positive.

After the film has been completely tinted, it is dried ready to beexpsed by the projectoscope or projecting machine onto the view screen. It will'theh be found that the various objects thrown on the screen, have the colors inparted to them. It will also be noted that the tints are evenly transferred throughout the length of the film 10, owing to the even rate of speed of said ribbon and film to the-pressure rolls 22 and 23. This,

when contrasted with the hand method employed for coloring photographic films, shows an appreciable difference in favor of the mechanically tinted film resulting from of tinting, the

the employment of the herein-disclosed method.

'hile the material used for projecting the film from the action of water has been mentioned herein as bichromate of potassium, it will be understood that any other suitable solution may be used, such as any of the chromium salts.

2. A method of coloring a photographic film consisting in providing a transfer ribbon corresponding in size with said film; then locating printing areas on said ribbon, said areas registering with associate areas on said film; then rendering the surface intermediate said areas impervious to the action of aqueous solutions; then immersing theribbon in water for acting on said printing areas; then immersing said ribbon in color solution; and then pressing said ribbon and said film together for transferring the color solution from said:printing areas to said associate areas.

3. A method of coloring a photographic film consisting in providing a transfer. ribbon corresponding in size with said film; then locating printing areas on said ribbon, said areas registering with associate areas'on said film; then rendering the surface intermediate said areas impervious to the action of aqueous solutions; then immersing the ribbon in water foracting on said printing areas; then immersing said ribbon in color solution; and*then pressing said ribbon and said film together for transferring the color solution from saidprint ing areas to said associate areas, said ribbon and film being held in registry while 

